Successful treatment of a patient with ARDS after pneumonectomy using high-frequency oscillatory ventilation

High frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) was used in a patient who dev eloped the acute respiratory distress syndrome 5 days following a right pne umonectomy for bronchogenic carcinoma. When conventional pressure-controlle d ventilation failed to maintain adequate oxygenation, HFOV dramatically im proved oxygenation within the first few hours of therapy. Pulmonary functio n and gas exchange recovered during a 10-day period of HFOV. No negative si de effects were observed. Early use of HFOV may be a beneficial ventilation strategy for adults with acute pulmonary failure, even in the post-operati ve period after lung resection.